Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako Fn98 vs Winchester 70 pre 64

Hello all,

Just wanted to pick your brains on this one and see what everyone thinks. Not sure I'll buy, but looking at two rifles at the moment. A Sako .270 Win built on a FN 98 commercial action like a High-Power, and a Winchester Pre 64 standard sporter also in .270.

What are the pertinent things between them in comparison, you think? Is one worth $300 or so more than the other if they are in equal condition?

Thanks!

Does the sako have an adjustable trigger and what safety is installed? A significant plus for the pre 64 is the safety and trigger setup, if the sako is a std mauser trigger/safety/floorplate.

Hello Pat,

The Sako has a side safety, I mean as in the little button that slides back and forth, not a shroud mounted Mauser safety. Guessing that means its an adjustable trigger! At least it will not interfere with scope mounting.

It also has a push button floorplate release, where a Mauser 98 floorplace latch release usually is...just extended, making it easier to press.

I guess you could just buy then both if you want. Personally I prefer the Mauser action over the Pre64 M70 so for me, making that decision would be simple. Frankly, I always thought the the pre64 M70 was just a bit slightly overrated. Nice guns but they just don't move me. Note that most of my serious bolt action hunting rifles are based on military or commercial FN actions.
PJ

Own/owned several of both, I'd take the commercial FN every time. One from the 50s is superior to any M70. The SAKO ones are also good but the stock is not as good as a real FN. The Browning FNs are also nice, but beware of salt wood.

FN Commercial

Neither will be especially lightweight, if that is at all important.

Understood! Got a Tikka for that


Wow thats a looker alright

I've owned two model 70 Winchesters. One post 64 push feed, and one Classic CRF '94 stainless. Both 30-06, and both went down the road. Currently have two Mausers. One a Husqvarna, and the other a BRNO. They're keepers.

I'd take a Mauser every day of the week and twice on Sunday over a Winchester. Granted I like some of the features of the M70 over the Mauser, like the safety and maybe trigger. But the deal breaker for me is the metallurgy and pure simple reliability of a Mauser. There's no doubt in my mind that these Mausers were made with the best steels possible. My Winchesters always left me doubting the workmanship and the materials used. Why I had a Classic stainless steel M70 with a floorplate that would easily rust always amazed me. I complained to Winchester about it and got no response. The pre '64's might be better. I have no real experience with them.

This is the one I am looking at

Very nice, I’d buy both

If I had to pick one, I'd take the Sako over a M70 standard every time, and I love my M70s...

I have one like that, except somone put a model 70 safety on it and timney trigger. Never seen one that didn't have sights. Sweet rifle, but heavy.

Trigger good, safety stupid. The big wing is fast and big. If you cant unload a rifle w/o it going off, you best take up pickle ball.

Looks like a fine SAKO/FN 98 there. My preference is for the Winchester model 70, as the FN 98 and its clones always seemed clunky to me. I know that's going to hurt some feelers.

You should buy both and let us know which one you like best. I have one rifle right now that has the same action as the FN98, as that action was made by many different manufactures, or imported by different manufactures. Interarms MarkX, Zastava m70, JC Higgins, H&R 340, Sako, Charles Daly, just to name a few.

Some of the reasons I prefer the pre 64 Winchester model 70 are the safety, trigger, bolt handle, feel and balance, and the general accuracy of the rifles. There is a reason why the model 70 has been termed "the rifleman's rifle" over the years. Of course, YMMV.

Definitely know what you mean about more streamlined, less clunky.

*May* just hold off until a pre 64 Featherweight comes along.


Edit: Here's the 70. Its a 1947. Other than the lil inlet/indentation where the receiver sight used to be installed I don't see anything amiss but....pretty untrained eye lol. Not my favorite stock style for those but could always trade it for a Monte Carlo. Wouldn't mind if it was one that already had a buttpad on it I could replace with a red Pachmayr or something.

The BRNO model 21 is a small ring '98, and the Husky 46A is a '96 Swedish Mauser. Both weigh about 6.5 lbs with iron sights. They're not clunky feeling at all. Large ring '98's feel heavy and clunky compared to the small ring types.

A pre-64 .270 made in 1950 was my primary hunting rifle for 30-odd years and I like them pretty well for certain. Very smooth, with perfect function, and very accurate. My son has mine now. I still prefer the FNs somewhat, as the design is a bit superior overall, and the one you showed has a stock better suited for scope use. Some fuss over the slide-off floorplate, but I don’t mind a bit.

Count me in with the buy ‘em both crew, if feasible.

Dammit.....now I want a Sako FN98.....

I would take the Model 70 over that particular FN. GD

Same here. I wouldn’t be in a hurry to put a pad on it either. A small eyepieces scope will mount pretty low as well.

They’re quite heavy though but you mention weight isn’t a factor so, I say say that 70 is gem. But I’m biased as heck.